Hi!
My name is Kendra Schoonmaker. I was born in Idaho Falls but spent most of my life growing up in Iowa. I'm in my third year at BYU where I'm majoring in computer science. Interestingly, I didn’t have much programming experience before starting at BYU, but I always thought it would be amazing to learn. What drew me to computer science is the way it blends creativity with logical problem-solving—two things I’ve always loved. Growing up, I had a strong interest in music, math, and science. For 7 years I played the clarinet and sang in choir, and I’ve also played the piano for 5 years. I’ve always gravitated toward subjects where there are clear answers, which is why I’ve never been drawn to writing or more abstract topics. For me, the structured and logical nature of math and programming felt like the perfect fit. The cool thing about Computer Science is its inclusivity—anyone, no matter their background or experience, can succeed in this field.
Personally, I came into this without years of programming under my belt, and yet I’ve found a passion for it. Even though coding can get difficult at times, the support from the computer science community as well as the friends I have made have encouraged me to keep going. I believe everyone has the potential to thrive in Computer Science, and I’m excited to help others discover that same passion!